Feb 16 - Daily News Bulletin; Moscow - English

Authorities in Tuva are trying to get to the bottom of a major accident that occurred at a thermoelectric power plant in Kyzyl.

A stop valve in one of the plant's heating units turned out to be shut, halting water circulation and leading to a sharp rise in pressure, the local government press service told Interfax.

High pressure damaged pipes and heaters in some residential blocs and administrative buildings in Kyzyl.

The emergency situation was over within four hours. Luckily, the weather is fairly warm in Kyzyl now.

"The local government asked the Prosecutor's Office, Interior Ministry and Federal Security Service to investigate the causes or the breakdown. The valve couldn't shut down all by itself. Someone must have done it. The investigation will find out who and why," the press service said.

This is the second accident at the Kyzyl power plant since December 18, 2005, when a short circuit in the electrical system left Kyzyl without heat for several hours, when outside temperatures were minus 40 degrees Celsius. The aftermath of that accident cost more than 3 million rubles.